Phil Hill, born on April 20, 1927, in Miami, Florida, and raised in Santa Monica, California, was a renowned American racing driver who made history by becoming the first U.S.-born driver to win the Formula 1 World Championship in 1961.
As a young driver, Hill began his racing career in sports cars and endurance events, quickly establishing himself as a talented and reliable driver due to his calm and methodical approach.
In 1958, Hill joined Ferrari's Formula 1 team and after several strong seasons, he finally achieved his goal of winning the championship in 1961, a year marked by fierce competition and the tragic death of his teammate, Wolfgang von Trips, at the Italian Grand Prix.
Apart from his Formula 1 success, Hill was also a highly accomplished endurance racer, with three victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring.
After retiring from racing in the mid-1960s, Hill pursued a career in automotive restoration and journalism, contributing articles on classic cars and motorsport history.
Throughout his career, Hill's legacy endures as one of America's most accomplished drivers and as a pioneer who helped establish the United States as a presence in Formula 1.
